"Managing our coastal zone in a changing climate: the time to act is now" - October 2009 report to Australian Parliament [full report download]

This morning the Australian media has picked up on the threat to coastal communities of rising sea levels and climate change generally, as set out in an October 2009 final report to the Australian Parliament's House Standing Committee on Climate Change, Water, Environment and the Arts.

This report makes forty-seven recommendations which clearly show that Australia is underprepared to deal with; a) natural disasters resulting from climate change-induced adverse weather events; b) continual sand/land erosion: c) widespread seawater inundation of urban areas; d) sustained flood events; e) mass evacuation of populations; f) contamination of water supplies; g) private and public insurance risks; h) loss of coastal land value and potential no-go zones for human occupation; i) inadequate building codes; j) biodiversity degradation; k) loss of indigenous heritage sites and l) loss of large offshore islands/territory.

Essentially these problems are well-known to all tiers of government, as there have been a number of previous climate change impact assessment reports containing recommendations which for the main have languished on departmental desks for want of political nerve.
The level of inaction at state and local government levels (both of which have direct responsibility for coastal land and how it is used) is quite frankly astounding at times.

Shire councils such as Clarence Valley Council continue to support large-scale unsustainable development proposals, like the move to place over 2,000 extra residents on flood-prone land in the Clarence River estuary which is already beginning to feel the first effects of climate change.

State Governments such as the NSW Rees Government actively encourage this global warming myopia, create coastal policy documents with the aim of transferring liability while still allowing development and fail to move decisively against such inappropriate development as the West Yamba proposal currently before its Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally.

Download Managing our coastal zone in a changing climate: the time to act is now:

Single chapter version downloads

Consolidated version download (PDF 5.3 MB)

Update:

Clarence Valley coastal zone has worst erosion in decades this year

North Coast businesses on NSW Food Authorities Name and Shame List

The NSW Food Authority publishes lists of businesses that have breached or are alleged to have breached NSW food safety laws.

The lists gives consumers more information to make decisions about where they eat or buy food.

Individuals and businesses may receive either a penalty notice for their alleged offence or be prosecuted before a court.

These North Coast businesses are on the list.

* ASIAN FEAST 45/95 DIADEM ST LISMORE 2480
(8/12/2008) Fail to display potentially hazardous food under temperature control - hot food displayed below 49C, and staff did not check temperatures Penalty $330.00

* BARAKA FOODS 71 BANKSIA DRIVE BYRON BAY 2481
(10/12/2008) Did operate a food business without a license - manufacture of cheese Penalty $660.00

* BLUE SEAS BAKERY 212 RIVER STREET BALLINA 2478
(20/11/2008) Fail to maintain food premises, fixtures, fittings, equipment in a good state of repair and working order having regard to their use - coolroom door, coolroom door seal, and conveyor belt of dough rolling machine in state of disrepair Penalty $330.00

* CURRY & KEBAB KING SHOP 2/164 CANTERBURY STREET CASINO 2470 (25/2/2009) Fail to take all practicable measures to eradicate and prevent the harbourage of pests - A cockroach infestation was observed on the premises Penalty $330.00

* GOURMET GENIE 60 CULLEN STREET NIMBIN 2480
(25/11/2008) Failed to display for sale potentially hazardous foods under temperature control - Lasagne had a core temperature of 35C and no thermometer present on the premises Penalty $330.00

* HENRY'S BAKERY 87 KEEN STREET LISMORE 2480 (25/8/2009) Sale of unsuitable food - rodent bait pellet found baked into bread, open pellets observed in foil trays near baking trays Penalty $1100.00

* IN THE PINK BYRON BAY GELATI COMPANY 1/76 BALLINA STREET LENNOX HEAD 2478
(30/10/2008) Fail to maintain food premises and equipment in a clean condition Penalty $330.00

* JITTERBUGS TAKEAWAY 40 ADAMS STREET CORAKI 2471
(4/3/2009) Food for sale past its use-by date Penalty $330.00

* NOODLE BOX 2/38 BALLINA ROAD LISMORE 2480
(24/4/2009) Permitted a live animal in food handling areas, other than seafood or other fish or shellfish - a small dog was permitted in the front and kitchen areas Penalty $660.00

* NORTH COAST MINI MART 99 QUEENSLAND ROAD CASINO 2470
(14/1/2009) Fail to maintain food premises to the required standard of cleanliness - There was an accumulation of food waste, grease and grime on walls, floors, and ceilings Penalty $330.00

* PIONEER TAVERN 53 SIMPSON AVE WOLLONGBAR
(28/10/2008) Fail to take all practicable measures to eradicate and prevent the harbourage of pests on the food premises - damaged back door and evidence of pest activity Penalty $660.00

* RAINBOW SEAFOOD 8 JONSON STREET BYRON BAY 2481
(4/3/2009) Fail to display potentially hazardous food under temperature control - fish displayed at a temperature of 12C Penalty $330.00

* RAINBOW SEAFOOD 8 JONSON STREET BYRON BAY 2481
(4/3/2009) Fail to ensure that persons undertaking or supervising food handling have necessary skills and knowledge Penalty $330.00

* SEDGERS REEF HOTEL BISTRO 74/80 QUEEN ST ILUKA 2466
(3/10/2008) Fail to maintain fixtures and fittings in a clean condition - accumulation of food, grease, cockroaches Penalty $330.00

* SOPHIES RESTAURANT (THE CECIL HOTEL) 100 CENTRE ST CASINO 2470 (14/10/2008) Fail to take all practicable measures to eradicate and prevent the harbourage of pests on the food premises - mice droppings found and blow flies present Penalty $660.00

* TRIDENT FISH BAR PACIFIC HWY BALLINA 2478
(16/7/2008) Fail to maintain food premises in a clean condition - unclean walls, display cabinet and exhaust canopy Penalty $330.00

* WOODBURN EVANS HEAD RSL 11-13 MCDONALD PLACE EVANS HEAD 2473 (4/8/2009) Fail to maintain easily accessible hand washing facilities on the food premises - handwash basin obstructed by a bucket in the basin and a garbage bin in front Penalty $660.00

* ZHEN ZHEN VAN LOI HOT BREAD 167 RIVER STREET BALLINA 2478
(14/11/2008) A person must not sell food that is unsuitable - A loaf of bread sold contained a cockroach Penalty $550.00

NSW Electoral Commission changes its mind and Page electorate loses voter numbers

From a 23 October 2009 Australian Electoral Commission media release:

The augmented Electoral Commission for New South Wales today announced the outcome of the deliberations on the boundaries and names of the 48 federal electoral divisions in New South Wales, in accordance with a requirement of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918.
The presiding member of the augmented Electoral Commission for New South Wales, the Hon. Peter Heerey QC, said that it had adopted the proposal of the Redistribution Committee for New South Wales, published on 7 August 2009, with some changes.
The augmented Electoral Commission considers that its proposal is not significantly different from that proposed by the Redistribution Committee. Therefore, a further objection period and further hearing are not required.
The formal determination of the boundaries and names of the electoral divisions will be gazetted on 22 December 2009.

This means that the NSW North Coast Page electorate currently held by Federal Labor MP, Janelle Saffin, will shrink back from its originally proposed new boundaries.

The Poll Bludger gives more details in the post Redraw redrawn.

Click on map to enlarge

Conservatives for Climate and Environment Inc. comes out with a strong name change

These are the current opening lines on the Conservatives for Climate and Environment Inc website:

If you believe in ...

> acting without delay on climate change,

> supporting a strong enterprising economy,

> protecting the environment,

> responsible small 'l' liberal values,

then your support now will make all the difference!

Conservatives for Climate and Environment is a federally registered political party formed in early 2007 by concerned people from around Australia, frustrated by the lack of voting options for economic conservatives who value the environment, take climate change seriously, and take a responsible approach to social issues.

A nuclear energy industry was only one part of its rather sparse four-part policy.
This week the Australian Electoral Commission published a name change request for the Conservatives for Climate and Environment political party to Environmentalists for Nuclear Energy Australia Incorporated.

Is this a major shift in emphasis for the party, Mr. Evill?